Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. We'll go beyond just listing specs and explore how these devices stack up in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-06 | 2024-08-03 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is significantly newer, likely with updated software and features. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is slightly larger, might feel bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 190g | Xiaomi Poco M5s is lighter and may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a more immersive viewing experience with a larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both are sharp, the difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 409 | 395 | Similar pixel density, both offer sharp display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Excellent color reproduction and deep blacks for both. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will feel smoother during scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will be more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is significantly faster and more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 805,721 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus handles demanding apps and games more smoothly. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers more powerful graphics processing. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.9, 1/2", 0.7µm) | 50MP (f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.0µm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has larger pixels for better low-light performance, despite lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP (f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.12µm) | 50MP (f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus takes significantly higher resolution selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm) | None | Xiaomi Poco M5s has an dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing wider shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP (f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm) | None | Xiaomi Poco M5s has an extra depth sensor for portrait modes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm) | None | Xiaomi Poco M5s offers macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 50MP (f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus utilizes wide angle and macro functions in one sensor. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS: No | 4K@30fps, EIS: Yes | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers better stabilized video recording. |
| Camera Features | Quad camera | Dual camera, OIS, RAW | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has OIS and better software controls, while Xiaomi Poco M5s offers versatile lens options. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, should offer comparable endurance. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 50W Fast Charging | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges significantly faster. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | No charger in box | Xiaomi Poco M5s offers reverse charging; Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is missing a charger in the box. |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus comes with a newer OS. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has faster and more stable WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has improved Bluetooth for better audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has better location tracking capabilities. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB/256GB | 256GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus only offers a 256GB variant. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 12GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a lot more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phones allow expandable storage. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has better audio capturing, offering higher quality audio playback, better audio separation and immersion. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco M5s features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor; Provides basic biometric security. |
| BUILD QUALITY | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more resistant screen against scratches and drops. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Poco M5s additionally features: Ultrasonic proximity virtual; Nothing Phone (2a) Plus additionally features: Proximity, Gravity; Comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s
Strengths:
- Affordable: Likely priced lower, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Versatile Camera Setup: Offers a dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth lens for creative photography.
- Reverse Charging: Useful for sharing battery with other devices.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Provides more convenient access.
- Ultrasonic proximity virtual: A more advanced technology that enables quicker touch input.
Limitations:
- Older Chipset: Performance is significantly lower compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
- Lower Refresh Rate: 60Hz display is not as smooth as 120Hz.
- Older Android OS: Ships with Android 12, meaning it will have a shorter software support window.
- Basic Video Stabilization: Lacks advanced stabilization, resulting in less stable video footage.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Strengths:
- Strong Performance: The Dimensity 7350 Pro offers significantly better speed and efficiency.
- 120Hz Display: Smoother scrolling and a more fluid user experience.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14, ensuring more extended software support and features.
- Better Camera: Larger sensor for better low light, optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharper images, and high-resolution front camera
- Faster Charging: 50W charging is significantly faster than 33W.
- Better audio capturing: 3 microphones enable more immersive sound recording.
- Superior screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better protection against scratches and drops.
- Better Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and better Bluetooth audio codecs.
- Better GPS: Nothing Phone 2a Plus supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Limitations:
- No Charger in Box: Requires separate purchase of a charging brick.
- Less Versatile Cameras: Lacks the dedicated macro lens that the Poco M5s offers.
- Basic Biometric Security: Utilizes a basic fingerprint sensor.
- Slightly Bulkier: Due to the larger screen and dimensions, it may feel bulkier for people with smaller hands.
- More Expensive: Likely priced higher than the Poco M5s.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability and value over top-tier performance.
- Casual Photographers: Users who like to experiment with different camera modes without needing the absolute best image quality.
- Users Who Value Battery Utility: Those who may need the reverse charging feature for other devices.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Those who want a smooth, responsive experience for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography Focused Users: Users who want high-quality photos, especially in low light and with OIS.
- Users Who Value Fast Charging: Those who don't want to wait long to recharge.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who value a smooth, well-supported Android OS with the latest features.
- Users who want good audio quality: Those who value great quality audio recording, especially in video creation and social media content.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to guide your decision:
- How important is performance to you? If you want to play games and multitask without lag, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the clear choice. If you only use basic apps, the Xiaomi Poco M5s may suffice.
- What are your camera priorities? If you value versatile camera options and reverse charging, the Xiaomi Poco M5s is a good option. If you prioritize high-quality pictures and videos and need low-light capabilities, and OIS, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is better.
- What is your budget? If you are trying to save money and don't need the latest features, the Xiaomi Poco M5s is more affordable. If you want top features and don't mind spending more, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is ideal.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious student. The Xiaomi Poco M5s is a cost-effective option that is suitable for daily tasks and casual photography without breaking the bank.
- Scenario 2: Gaming enthusiast. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will offer a better performance due to a faster processor, smoother display and better graphics performance.
- Scenario 3: Social media content creator. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a better camera for both photography and videography with a high-quality front camera and optical image stabilization (OIS), along with an advanced microphone setup to enhance audio quality.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally go for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. The performance jump is substantial, the 120Hz display is a major upgrade, and the improved camera features, especially OIS, are significant. I also prioritize software updates, and the newer Android OS on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus ensures a better overall experience for a longer period of time. While the missing charger in the box is a minor inconvenience, the faster charging speeds offset that. Although the Xiaomi Poco M5s presents good value for its price and has some features the Nothing Phone 2a does not (such as macro lens, reverse charging, and side mounted fingerprint reader), overall, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus offers a better user experience with cutting-edge features and a smoother performance and is worth the extra cost.
